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Tai Tokerau iwi have joined with the region's largest tertiary education provider to boost the number of young Maori in training.
The Northland Maori and Pasifika Trades Training initiative was launched in Whangarei today by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Steven Joyce.
It will be run by Te Matarau Education Trust, a consortium of Te Aupouri, Ngati Rangi, Ngati Hine, Ngati Hau, Te Uri o Hau and Ngatiwai working with NorthTec.
Co-chair Peter Tipene says the iwi will be able to help recruit and support trainees and then position them in jobs in a way the polytechnic could not do on is own.
"Take for instance in Ngati Hine, we've got a lot of forestry going on, and we've got people who are coaches of our league teams and rugby teams who know the young fellows out in the comunities and valleys, can relate to them and talk to them and encourage them to get involved in our own local economy," he says.
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